Why Mexico’s $29B Train Megaproject Is So Controversial | WSJ Breaking Ground 

Europe builds infrastructure: "Progress!" Mexico builds infrastructure: "How dare you?!"

Every time a developing country builds something it’s always portrayed negatively because it means that poorer country is another step closer to catching up to the rich nations.

There's a 4 lane highway parallel to the proposed train (rt 307 and rt 180) that ALREADY cuts through the jungle but instead has dirty polluting cars instead of a more efficient train. The train should not be controversial when the highway already exists.

As an American, I am excited to see our southern neighbor develop and chart its own path. Proud of you Mexico!

As a Mexican , I’m very proud of the Tren Maya!!!

As an American traveler who frequents Tulum, Mexico, I don't mind paying a lil more taxes to help support this project and the economy

😂😂😂Controversial? Eighty percent of Mexicans agree with the train, the only ones who consider it controversial are the multinationals, including the American ones that could not get rich

hold on how is this a issue??? Mexico is trying to build a train that will create millions of jobs and that will increase Mexico's economy...What is the issue??? This project is a good thing for all of Mexico

So, The Wall Street Journal interviews Antonio Azuela, who is supposedly an authority in the field. However, he was Mexico's environmental attorney in the 90s. And do you know what the state of the environment was like back then? When did these so-called authorities actually care about southeastern Mexico? Everyone has an opinion, and his is just one among many. It's easy to talk, but what about taking action?

Why nobody talks about all the Hotels that are contaminating the Area? and is not money for our country cause all the hotels are owned by foreing companies. Tren Maya is a Mexican project, by Mexicans and for Mexicans.

A railway project is a much better definition of progress than projects that would satisfy automakers (highways and freeways). Mexico is doing the right thing.

Environmentalists be criticizing the project, but travel non-stop via plane and use other types of transportation that pollute and affect the environment, but no one talks about it. Of course environmentalists are so capable of criticizing, but can’t up the economy.

Dr. Azuela, what did you do to prevent the ecological disaster caused by the Vulcan company (Calica) in Playa del Carmen and the Xcaret group in the Yucatan cenote ring? his professional career, his performance as Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Mexico) and advisor to state governments and federal agencies on urban planning and environmental law stands out operated for 36 years and devastated 1,200 hectares of jungle, underground rivers, cenotes and mangroves, causing an environmental disaster that destroyed the jungle and contaminated water and soil in the region

If Mexico really wants to drive growth, they should built as much rail as possible to connect Mexico City with the US and the northern cities like Monterrey. The massive ongoing industrial reshoring in the US means equally huge opportunities for Mexican industry and trade, but they need the travel links to central Mexico to make it work.

I had a dream that mexico built a high speed train from Oaxaca to Tijuana wow that would make America and Canada look so bad.

Kudos for Mexico! They’re doing what US can’t do because of over regulation and ridiculous labor cost! California has been trying to complete the environmental studies for last 10 years and still not started and already over budget!

It is not controversial, stop talking nonsense, in Mexico the majority of people including the indigenous natives agree with this train

Thats bs, the environmental studies were done a year before construction, that isn’t mentioned in this biased video. The route was changed a few times to accommodate the cenotes and underground caves found DURING these studies. All these pseudo environmentalist in these US funded NGO’s, didn’t protest about the devastation caused by US mining companies like Calica, in the region. The infamous ngo “Selvame del tren” specifically used to oppose this project, is literally funded by NED, used by the US to destabilize countries around the world.

I grew up visiting my grandmother in Mexico and one thing that stood out was the dire need for new infrastructure. I'm glad AMLO is finally stepping up to the plate and building the much needed trains and roads that the country has needed, not to mention countless of other telecommunications, healthcare, and educational projects.

Rich countries: "Let's promote mass transpo system for better efficiency and lesser carbon emission." Poor countries exactly doing it for the greater good. Also rich countries: "Wait, that's illegal..."

Viva Mexico. The World will get to see the wonders of such a Beautiful paradise and All of the benefits is for our native people. I am from Cancun and I am so proud to say Viva Amlo!!!

Well, while the tren maya is built under strict environmental regulations, the government stopped the production of granite by an American company, which causes incredible pollution

Those complaining about the environment impact are just a bunch of hypocrites. Those “environmentalists” did nothing when all the touristic infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, etc.) was initiated many years ago, devastating so much of the jungle; now even some stretches of rivers and some “cenotes” are in private properties. The gringo company “Vulcan materials” (CALICA) destroyed for many years a large portion of jungle, even using dynamite, and nobody said anything about it. In Europe, the main means of transportation is by train, and obviously it had environmental impact. Yes, the infrastructure was over the initial budget allocation but in some cases was due to changes (more stations, change of route, etc.). Can you tell what kind of infrastructure, in the whole world, was built within the budget. Over the budget projects has been the norm in all projects in Mexico since so many decades ago.

So nice to see all the support for Mexico 🇲🇽, thank you all.

Oh be sure I want to travel on this train. Thanks for watching our progress in our beloved Mèxico. Viva Mèxico!

Viva 🎉 México 🇲🇽. Saludos de 🇬🇹

No progress without risk go for it

Amazing. These are the type of projects we want to see from Mexico. Using government money for big projects such as this one is a positive thing. I'm not an economist, but I can tell that it will bring long term economic growth and it looks like a beautiful trip to take.

I am Mexican, and I can say that the Mayan Train is a project that the southeastern Mexico needed. The controversy arises from opposition governments presenting arguments such as deforestation, extinction of fauna, corruption, among other problems, which are clearly exaggerated by themselves. The Mayan Train is a great project of this government.

A train from Puerta Vallarta to Guadalajara to Morelia to Mexico City to Queretaro to San Luis Potosi to Matehuala to Saltillo to Monterrey to Nuevo Laredo and if the US invested some money they could continue it to Laredo to San Antonio to Austin to Waco to Dallas to Oklahoma City to Wichita to Kansas City to St. Louis to Chicago.

How dare Mexico try to build Infrastructure

As Yucatecan (with maya heritage) and Mexican I completley support the Tren Maya

It’s a great addition to the country and region. They’re also building an alternative logistical system to the Panama Canal and a train line connecting Mexico City airports

At least they're building passenger railroads. Here in Brazil we only build freight railroads, unfortunately. I find it very curious how development in Europe or in the United States is appreciated, but Latin American countries are condemned when they invest in infrastructure.

According to Wall Street journal, a free project other than US and UK is controversial 😂😂😂😂😂

This video is so biased to the negative aspects of a project. In a few words, answering to the title of the video: because the WSJ is giving voice to a minority that has been criticizing all the doings of AMLO since the begining of his administration.

I think the train is a good thing. It is also easier to control gangsters and hindering them from travelling around with guns by train, than with more almost uncontrollable roads. P.S.: I am happy that I could still climb the castillo pyramid, when it was still allowed in the early 2000s.

How dare you, Mexico?? 😂😂

Amazing!! 29 billion for over 900 plus miles of high speed rail in such a short time wow! Meanwhile California high speed train of only 520 miles and mostly built in flat desert area is close to 180 billion and will take easily another 10 years to complete if ever.

Good for Mexico. I wish the US would bypass environmental impact reports and the court system and actually get something built for once.

Viva Mexico 🇲🇽

What a great idea, I hope Mexico become a world leader country!!!!!

LONG LIVE MEXICO EVEN THO THERES PEOPLE WHO DONT WANT TO SEE THEM SUCCEED

Cartels gon love this shiiiii lol

It's only controversial because U.S. bankers could not sell loans to Mexico for the project, mainly Black Rock. Mexicans love this project.

Environmental minster from the 90s ok . not corrupt😒 how do you think those resorts got made without any oversights.

Thanks to the fact that today Mexico has a president with ideals of progress and has built these great works, in the past everything was corruption, in fact the former presidents became great millionaires with luxurious residences abroad acquired with Mexican money.

Terrible video favoring the corrupt view of the previous politicians. The train is a much environmental friendly form of transport and increases eco tourism. There is already a highway there. How come they dint do a video on the pollution caused by hotels built by the previous government.

Antonio Azuela is obviously an anti Lopez Obrador critic. A member of the opposition party. WSJ should get DIFFERENT points of view.

I wonder, what was mr Azuela’s opinion about the destruction big hotels did to the peninsula since the 70’s? What was his opinion about Vulcan Materials? Right across Xcaret, another devastated area allowed by the politicians? I would like to hear his opinion about it

Kudos to Mexico!! Progress always has an environmental cost, and the mexican people deserve it.

Strange video, it seems like a great project in almost all aspects! I will return to Mexico someday for the third time just to ride in the train WSJ doesn't seem to like kkk

Its a big step for Mexico to start this journey in building Infrastructure and create more ideas for there country, this brings Growth, the Critics just dont want Mexico to Grow, For one to grow sacrifices need to be made..

I support every projects that the president AMLO brings to the country, for Mexico and for the Mexican people, this brings more tourist creat more jobs and people don’t have to relocate or go out as a immigrant’s, that’s my humble opinion, viva la 4T y viva Mexico.

Well, that's how we are, we complain about poverty and marginalization but when we want to build projects for development and economic growth we don't want to make any sacrifice. An example is Europe, the richest and most developed region is at the same time the one that conserves its biodiversity the least, of course we must take care of the environment but also marginalized people.

Mexico's presidente AMLO, doesn't just promise HE DELIVERS. LONG LIVE PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR

I like the train system, the airports and refineries they built in the last 30 years better than this project... Nevermind, they didn't build anything and tax payer's money was gone. Also, the country was in debt on top of things. Where did all this money go to?

At this point, in every video from the traditional media, I've found that when they talk about the ecosystem they don't talk about Sembrando Vida which is the largest reforestation program in the history of the region. Nor the thousands of acres that has been declared as protected zones/parks many of them which had already been promised to foreign housing companies by previous governments. Another thing that caught my eye is that when those big Hotel chains were established in Cancun or companies like Calica, that had destructed the ecosystem in the peninsula it's called progress but when the government for the first time put some effort in caring about the damages of its project and acting accordingly, it somehow is not good.

There is controversial because is for the poor people, the countries need infrastructure to development improve

Three feet of Limestone between the tracks and the underground lake and aquifer is crazy.

The Tren Maya megaproject is very important for the economic and social development in the southeast part of Mexico in the medium and long run!!!

Two wrongs don't make a right...

NO, ITS NOT CONTROVERSIAL, NOBODY IN MEXICO WAS AGAINST THIS TRAIN, JUST THE MEDIA.

The interstate system in the United States was likewise controversial. On the whole it's good thing..

i want more trains (san antonio - monterrey high speed, then from mty to all Mexico)

WSJ when a 12 lane highway is built: Investment WSJ when train is built: Gamble

The opposition is so envious

Controversial to whom?

Good job Mexico!!!

Antonio Azueta is now concerned about the environment?, he must of had a change of heart!

There will be significant environmental impact with every major infrastructure project but omitting the population of those countless obsolete cars on the road is clearly understated. The emission standards of many cars aren't exactly compliant with modern standards.

Controversial according to who?!!! Get your facts straight!

Stop the lies. It’s only controversial for those who completely ignore the decades of abandonment of development in the south of that country.

The nasty hypocrisy 😒 is blatant

Sounds like a hit piece against Mexican development.

When megaprojects are not built by America, they are often shown negatively in the videos I've been watching.

Why does this journalist talk about the Canadian mine industry that has been destroying those states?? What about Coca Cola ? With wasting millions of the Mexican fresh water? Or the hotels ??

I’m going to the Cancun-Tulum area in two weeks and I wish I knew about this train before booking rental cars 🚗

I love the south of Mexico I go 5 times a year me and my wife won’t vacation nowhere else after visiting the south of Mexico is so amazing.

meanwhile California high speed rail is...

Please also talk about the havoc that the exploitation of the Calica mine (USA company) caused in Quintana Roo

AMLO ofreció a presidente de Guatemala que el tren pasara en la línea fronteriza y el no acepto

In this documentary they don’t talk about the us company that destroyed part of the jungle

I am not surprised that for wsj and all other USA newspapers it is controversial 😂 hypocrites

God bless Mexico

Tengan para que aprendan!

the us,and eu,wanted the regions to themself,virgin to enjoy them,with out no budy to come and see this mayestic structures,and beautiful paradise,but now we are reclaimed what's our legacy.

I know it's controversial, but the environmental impact of trains is lower that building highways (which, for those of you who might have not visited this region recently, are being planed and built). It's not ideal but I prefer a train than thounsands of cars and highways.

Even Laos, used to be carpet bombed by America has a highspeed rail right on the Ho Chi Mingh trail..

The biggest controversy from the point of view of The Wall Street and developed countries is: How a country like Mexico can build a large infrastructure without borrowing money from the World Bank or BID, and of course “pay zero interest rate”. This piece of infrastructure was build with Mexican tax payers money and start boosting the country’s economy from day 1. Also, if a country like Mexico can built a train infrastructure to reduce CO2 emissions in 4 years only, the equivalent to the distance from Lisbon Portugal to Paris France, why hasn’t the US built 1. Km of new public rail infrastructure ? Instead sending their tax payers money to wars? Only private investment in US in the last years has done some new train infrastructure. If TWSJ is really concern about jungle, rainforest and environment then why don’t you cover the note of the devastation on the Mexican rainforest made by a US company ( Calica) to extract limestone rock to build the US highways at the cost completely destroying the very same rainforest you are talking about … it is much more dramatic the impact of this company has done in Mexico than the overall Maya Train …. So please have more journalistic ethics and professionalism 🙏🏻

you know AMLO is doing things right when the richest (honest and sincere) people like Carlos Slim and Carlos Bremer are 100% with AMLO and the 4T

The intentions are admirable, yet, as a Mexican, it's evident that the foreseeable result is dishearteningly predictable: a surge in waste accumulation near the stations, environmental degradation, water contamination, and, ultimately, the area falling prey to organized crime after a fleeting period of prosperity. This narrative echoes across Mexico-Acapulco, Cancun, Guanajuato, Tampico! No tourist haven seems exempt from these widely acknowledged issues. Though there may be a glimmer of hope in places like Los Cabos, the prevailing trend persists.

Strange the Wall Street journal telling false propaganda now I seen it all

Environmental Attorney General in the 90s? That explains an awful lot about the state of Mexico.

Mexico doing amazing projects this past 5 years. 🎉🎉🎉 soon it will become a major power house now that they kicked out all the crooks.

People have been saying that Mexico needs to develop and build its industry. Guess what? For that, you need to build infrastructure. This train (and others like it around the country) should have been built 30 years ago, but the PRIAN administration was corrupt. Had it been built back then, nobody would have flinched on its impact.

I am a Mexican who is writing this message with a translator, it is obvious that I do not know what the video says but knowing the biased media and the way in which they cover a news story, I am sure that I would be saying something about the Mayan Train producing an ecocide. in the area or something of the high costs. It seems curious to me how in any other part of the world a work like this would be described as progress while in Mexico it would be called an immense error. But what do you think the trees along one of the roads were not cut down but relocated? In addition, during the entire course of the area, nearly 20 thousand hectares were planted and there are wildlife crossings. Another thing they mention is the high cost but what they don't tell you is that part of that increase was due to the new ecological reserves that they are going to inaugurate in this project to mitigate the supposed environmental damage of which they falsely accuse. Mexico today finally has a president who is with his people and we are not going to let biased media lie blatantly as they have always done.

What are the future maintenance projected costs? You can build it, but it is more important to maintain it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the WSJ made a video about Vulcan's mine called Calica that is located in Playa Del Carmen and tell a story about the greatnes of this mine. This video obviously has a bias. This is the reason Americans have lost trust in this kind of "Newspaper" they write about what they are paid to write 😂

Those times when the media like the WSJ said “the money is not gonna be enough for the Mexican president to build all those projects without asking for loans” 😂 and all the projects are completed or almost finished ready to open this 2024. The WSJ accuracy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂